History
The district was created in 1821, when the dukedom Fulda did become a province of Hesse, and was split into four districts. In 1866 the north of Hesse became part of Prussia, including the Gersfeld area which previously belonged to Bavaria. In 1927 the city Fulda left the district to become district-free, in 1932 the remaining district was merged with the district Gersfeld. 1972 the previously small municipalities were merged into 23 bigger ones, and in 1974 the city Fulda lost its status as district-free city and joined the district again. In 1975 the Hünfeld district was added to the district.

The left side of the coat of arms show a black cross, the sign of the monastery of Fulda. The lion on the right side is taken from the Hesse coat of arms, symbolizing that the district was part of Hesse 1821-1866, and again after 1945. The coat of arms was granted in 1936.